TEAM BUILDING
It is complicated to work together when we don’t understand one another. Admittedly, I’m not always attentive to the care needed to build a team. I tend to focus on the task. “Let’s get this done and move on to the next thing.” I think the Burundi context has revealed to me the importance of knowing one another. In the U.S. we would say, “it’s not what you know but who you know.” In Burundi that phrase also rings true. Maintaining relationships is thee priority in this culture while completion of the task carries a secondary status.
How do we build teams? How do we gain the trust of our colleagues, co-workers, ministry partners? How do we understand one another?
Harvest Initiatives (HI) organized two team building events: one for the office staff and one for the watchman staff. The goal was to know one another better and to see the impact of the work at HI. It was a time to realign with the mission, to be together, to rest, and to reflect.
The office staff took a one-day retreat to the Rutana province. I was fortunate to join them. We made stops at various tourist destinations throughout the country. We visited the national history museum, some forest areas, and the Source of the Nile River (true!!). At each stop we were instructed to take time alone, in silence, without distractions, and to reflect on what God was speaking to us as individuals. It was intentional time with God outside of our normal routines.
One staff member commented, “the reflection time was an opportunity to feel God’s presence through personal meditation in nature. The whole retreat was a moment of rest for me.”
Another person said, “it was a time of personal reflection and a time to enjoy my colleagues. It was a moment of rest and made me so happy to be invited. I would really like to see us do this type of event two times a year as it strengthens the group and gives me a moment of rest.”
Another retreat was held for the watchmen staff, those who care for the headquarter facilities. The mission of the retreat was to visit serval communities supported by HI and to introduce the staff to the people impacted by their work. When asked by the local community, “what do you do?” the watchmen replied, “we are in charge of security for the supplies that come to your community.” The staff was encouraged to see how their role played a part in benefiting these communities.
One participant commented on the trip, “it was very exciting, amazing, relaxing. All the words! It was so enjoyable for me.”
We all have a role to play. Sometimes it is hard to see our role, but I believe Creator has us specifically planted for His glory. A tree by itself is majestic, but only when put together does it transform into something prolific, a forest. God invites us as individuals into His collective mission.
Thank you, King Jesus, for being the one to reach out to us in partnership.
Thank you, King Jesus, for being the one to bring us awareness of our role.
Thank you, King Jesus, for being the one to unite us with one another.
